FL River City Rascals

Newman Shines in Thriller

Published on August 14, 2007 under Frontier League (FL)
River City Rascals News Release


O'Fallon, MO - The Rascals had to wait 77 games for a walk-off hit, but the wait made it all the sweeter as Joe Newman's pinch-hit single won the game for River City 4-3 over Washington.

"This is awesome," Newman said after the game. "I remember a walk-off I had when playing against Okalahoma State and this is way better than that."

Newman, a former Oklahoma Sooner, had been moved from a reserve outfielder to a relief pitch for the last three weeks, but before the bottom of the ninth inning started, he made his way to the dugout.

"I knew I just had to be ready and I was just trying to put a good swing on the ball."

That's exactly what Newman did as he lined it back up the middle to score Jared Bunn. It was Newman's first at-bat since July 26 and he entered only hitting .095.

The Newman heroics came after the Wild Things tied the game in the top of the ninth. Chris Clem was allowed to continue for River City after allowing two unearned runs through eight innings. Clem saw one batter in the ninth, a single by Robbie Knapp, and closer Mike Benacka was brought in.

Rob Vernon was brought in as a pinch runner and stole second base with Mario Garza at the plate. With nobody out and the tying run at second, Garza drove a ball to right and Vernon was able to slide around the tag at home.

Travis Risser got the last out of the Rascal eighth and started the ninth for Washington. Risser walked Jared Bunn to start the inning. Bunn stole second with one out, and then with two outs, Jeff Landry was intentionally walked. That brought up Ryan Czyz.

Rascal manager played the lefty-righty match-up and brought in the left-handed pinch hitter against Risser. That's when Newman lined it past a diving J.J. Newman at second to plate Benn.

Benacka (2-4) picked up the win going an inning with allowing one hit and striking out two. Risser (2-1) got the loss going an inning, allowing one earned run, one hit, three walks and one strikeout.

River City (31-46) ended their five game losing streak by improving to 6-7 against the Frontier League East this season. Washington fell to 44-32.

Game two of the three game series is Wednesday night at T.R. Hughes Ballpark at 7:05 pm. Jonathan Miller (5-3) goes for the Rascals. Miller will go up against 1-1 Andy Schon.

***Puppy Chow***

August 15 - It will be a spooky night at the ballpark filled with ghosts, goblins and barking! It is Halloween and Bark in the Park at T.R. Hughes ballpark presented by Purina. Fans and their dogs are encouraged to come dressed in their favorite costumes. There will be a costume contest during the game for humans and for pooches.

Check out the River City Rascals Statistics

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Frontier League Stories from August 14, 2007


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